Anyone Who Loves God Must Also Love Their Brother

Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. —1 John 4:20-21 

If we don't love our families, who we've seend, how can we love God, who is unseen?

God commands us to love others.

And he calls us liars if we claim to love God but hate our brothers.

He calls us liars if we claim to lvoe God but hate our sisters.

God has a better plan.

Whoever loves God must also love their brother and sister.

Between the Two of You

If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. — Hebrews 15:18

Sometimes it's hard to keep things just between two of us.

We want to spread the word.

And show that we're in the know.

But when we point out someone's fault privately, they can work on it themselves.

When we gossip, it's just like this alligator at the zoo.

Way too much to handle.

If they listen, you have won them over!

Praise the Lord.

Love Your Brother and Sister

For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. — 1 John 4:20-21 

It's not always easy to love our family. members.

I think that's why God puts us in families - so we can learn to do hard things.

Including loving our brothers and sisters, even when they upset us.

Even when we're not kind to them.

Especially when we let frustrations get in the way.

God commands us to love them anyway.

If we love God, we must also love our brothers and sisters.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. reminded us of this Scripture.

With God's help, we can do it well!

Anyone Who Loves God Must Love Their Brother

And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. — 1 John 4:21 

God has commanded us to love others.

Sometimes it's hardest to love those who are members of our earthly families.

But God reminds us that anyone who loves God must also love their brother.

Not just their brothers in Christ.

And anyone who loves God must also love their sister.

Even if we don't get along.

Even when we don't agree.

We show our love for God by. how we show our love to others.

Even when it's not convenient.

Even when it's not part of my plan or I have other things to do.

Or other places to be.

Help me, Lord, to love you with all of my heart and mind.

Love Your Brother and Sister

For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. — 1 John 4:20

Today we start a new Bible study on Exodus.

We'll read through 18 chapters in just ten weeks.

And discover what God instructed Moses to communicate to us in His Word.

And how God delivers us to live for Him.

Kirk's current adult Sunday school class is on the Ten Commandments.

He's teaching us how God's rules free us to live in God's will and word in the world.

Very complementary studies!

Looking forward to it.

Loving Our Brothers and Sisters

He has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. —
1 John 4:21

It is not always easy to love our brothers and sisters.

But God commands us to do just that, if we love Him.

Because God first loved us, we are called to love others.

Even when it's hard; even when we aren't sure how to be pleasant and nice.

But with God's help, we can love others, even when they are not very lovable.

God has commanded us: if we love God, we must also love our brothers and sisters.

Our God Reigns

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” — Isaiah 52:7

Today I had a chance to Facetime with my sister Becky in Austria. What a great time to catch up and pray together.

We both have a tendency to try to do too much, so we are learning to slow down and not take on as many new tasks and projects.

Very hard at times. But God is helping us to prioritize and focus on what His plan is for us rather than going ahead on our own.

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news. Who proclaim peace. Who proclaim salvation.

We echo the words of Isaiah, "Our God reigns!"